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Topic: 135mm L (Read 14276 times)

So I spent the past couple of weeks researching portrait lenses (mostly this one and the 85mm f1.2), and partly as a result of this thread, I picked up the 135mm this afternoon. I can't wait to get out with it a bit tomorrow. I think my fiancée will really enjoy not waiting around for the slow focus of the 100mm f2.8L... fewer frozen smiles, here we come!

So I spent the past couple of weeks researching portrait lenses (mostly this one and the 85mm f1.2), and partly as a result of this thread, I picked up the 135mm this afternoon. I can't wait to get out with it a bit tomorrow. I think my fiancée will really enjoy not waiting around for the slow focus of the 100mm f2.8L... fewer frozen smiles, here we come!

I'll reiterate, pretty much everybody needs to just buy this lens and forget about researching it. Every time I put it on the camera...it's magic. It doesn't care what it's aimed at, the result will be art, at least on some level.

40 minutes after sunset (well into the "blue hour"), hand-held, center point autofocus (then re-compose), 1/100 second, f/2, ISO 400, my front yard, cropped about 60%, distance to deer about 250 yards. This obviously doesn't showcase any bokeh or much color saturation...but I recently was looking at some of my snow shots, and still got a kick out of this one. (sorry for the small web size).

So I spent the past couple of weeks researching portrait lenses (mostly this one and the 85mm f1.2), and partly as a result of this thread, I picked up the 135mm this afternoon. I can't wait to get out with it a bit tomorrow. I think my fiancée will really enjoy not waiting around for the slow focus of the 100mm f2.8L... fewer frozen smiles, here we come!

I recently read your review of the 50L and found it very informative. There is someone in my area who has the 50L on Craigslist for a very tempting price. I already own the 85 1.2 and plan to buy the 135L in the very near future. I currently own the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, but have that red ring addiction. With my current obsession with primes, the 50 1.2 seems like the next logical upgrade... If the price is right, of course. :-)

Has anyone had experience shooting babies with the 135L? I ask because I'm expecting my first child in less than two months, and have been "upgrading" my lens lineup from wide angle architecture to fast primes in anticipation of my kid being my new photographic muse. Already picked up the 85L for its spectacular DoF and bokeh. I've been sold on the 135 for awhile now, given all the raves reviews. Just need to squirrel away the money. ;-)

Pierce, I have shot children with my 135L, but not infants. I'm not sure there would be as much advantage with the angle of view and DOF, but I'm sure you could get good results. Hope all goes well with your baby.

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I have both the 135L and 70-200 2.8 II that I use on a 6D. There is a place for both lenses in you bag. I use the 70-200 when I need versatility and am in situations when I can't "zoom with my feet" fast enough to get the shot.

The 135 is great when I want a lighter, more discrete lens. It does have awesome bokeh and a special look. It's my primary portrait lens.

It won't be any sharper stopped down from wide open on a (current) full frame camera, you will only increase the depth of focus. You aren't remotely seeing the full detail-resolving power of the lens on a 5D3.